work out

5 meanings

Meanings
  1. 1 plan or think about something carefully B1
  2. 2 do exercise to get fit or stronger B1
  3. 3 calculate an amount, cost, or answer B1
  4. 4 happen or develop in a certain way (well or badly) B1
  5. 5 have a good or successful result B1
1 work sth out

plan or think about something carefully

B1

What does "work out" mean in this sense?

This sense of 'work out' means to plan, calculate, or think through the details of something carefully. You use it when you need to figure out the specifics — for example, how much something will cost, what the schedule will look like, or what steps to follow. It is very common in both everyday conversations and professional situations, such as planning a trip, agreeing on a deal, or organising a project. The key idea is that you are putting thought and effort into the details of something, not just deciding broadly what to do. It is a neutral phrasal verb that works well in speaking and writing.

Examples

How to use it

work out + noun phrase

The most common pattern — use a specific noun as the object, such as 'the details', 'a plan', or 'the cost'.

We need to work out the schedule before we send any invitations.

work + noun phrase + out

With short noun phrases, you can also place the object between 'work' and 'out' — both orders are correct.

Let's work the details out before we make any promises.

work + pronoun + out

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'work' and 'out' — you cannot put it after 'out'.

The budget looks complicated, but I'm sure we can work it out.

work out + question word + clause

Very commonly followed by a question word like 'how', 'what', 'where', or 'when' to introduce a clause describing what needs to be planned.

We haven't worked out how to get everyone to the venue yet.

be worked out

The passive form is natural, especially in formal or written contexts, when describing something that still needs to be planned or has already been decided.

The final terms of the agreement still need to be worked out.

Common Collocations

work out the detailswork out a planwork out the costwork out a solutionwork out how towork out a deal

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'work' and 'out'. Putting it after 'out' is ungrammatical in English.

✗ We need to work out it before the meeting.
✓ We need to work it out before the meeting.
Confusing with 'figure out'

'Figure out' focuses on understanding or solving a puzzle, while 'work out' in this sense is about planning or calculating the specifics of something. They overlap, but 'work out a plan' or 'work out the budget' sounds more natural than using 'figure out' in the same way.

✗ We need to figure out a detailed schedule for the whole project.
✓ We need to work out a detailed schedule for the whole project.
Separating with a very long noun phrase

It sounds awkward to put a very long noun phrase between 'work' and 'out'. With long phrases, keep the object after 'out'.

✗ We need to work the full financial implications of the new contract out.
✓ We need to work out the full financial implications of the new contract.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral in register and works in both spoken and written English, from casual conversations to business meetings. It is very commonly followed by a question word: 'We need to work out how to do this.'

2 work out

do exercise to get fit or stronger

B1

Sense 2: What does "work out" mean?

To 'work out' means to do physical exercise, usually as part of a regular routine to get fitter, stronger, or healthier. You might work out at a gym, at home, in a park, or anywhere you do activities like running, lifting weights, or doing yoga. People often say how often they work out or where they do it — for example, 'three times a week' or 'at the gym'. This phrasal verb is very natural and common in everyday English, and it sounds more casual than simply saying 'exercise'. It is used in both British and American English and is especially popular in fitness and lifestyle conversations.

Examples

How to use it

subject + work out

This is the basic pattern — 'work out' is used without any object because it describes the action of exercising.

She works out every morning before going to work.

work out + frequency expression

Frequency expressions like 'every day' or 'three times a week' are very commonly used with this phrasal verb.

He tries to work out at least four times a week to stay fit.

work out + location phrase

You can add a location phrase to say where the exercising happens.

They prefer to work out at home rather than at the gym.

work out + purpose clause (to + verb)

A 'to + verb' clause is often added to explain why someone is exercising.

She started working out to build muscle and improve her energy levels.

Common Collocations

work out at the gymwork out every daywork out regularlywork out to stay fitwork out with a trainerwork out at home

Common Mistakes

Trying to use an object

In this exercise sense, 'work out' never takes an object — you cannot put a noun or pronoun between 'work' and 'out' or after 'out'. If you add an object, you change the meaning to 'solve' or 'calculate'.

✗ She worked out her body every day.
✓ She worked out every day.
Confusing with the 'solve' sense

The phrase 'work out' can also mean to solve or calculate something, and that sense always has an object after it. If you see or use 'work out' without any object, it means exercise — not solve.

✗ I need to work out how to get fit. (if you mean 'exercise')
✓ I need to work out to get fit.
Using 'work up' instead of 'work out'

'Work up' in a fitness context means to gradually produce something like a sweat or an appetite, and it always needs an object. It is not a general word for exercising — use 'work out' for that.

✗ I work up at the gym three times a week.
✓ I work out at the gym three times a week.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and widely used in both British and American English. The related noun 'a workout' is very common — native speakers often say 'I had a great workout' rather than using the verb form.

3 work sth out

calculate an amount, cost, or answer

B1

Sense 3: What does "work sth out" mean?

To 'work out' an amount, cost, or answer means to find the correct number by thinking carefully or doing a calculation. You might use a pen and paper, a calculator, or even just your head. It's a very common, everyday alternative to the word 'calculate' and is used in both British and American English. This sense always involves numbers or measurable quantities — things like prices, totals, percentages, or distances. If there are no figures involved, you're probably using a different meaning of 'work out'.

Examples

How to use it

work out + amount/cost/answer

The most common pattern — use it when the object is a short noun phrase referring to a number, cost, or result.

Let me work out the total before we ask for the bill.

work + object + out

The object can be placed between 'work' and 'out' when it is a short noun phrase — both word orders are natural.

She worked the discount out on her phone and told us the final price.

work it/them out

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'work' and 'out' — you cannot say 'work out it'.

The prices looked complicated, but he worked them out pretty quickly.

work out + how much/how many/what

Use this pattern when the calculation is expressed as an embedded question — the clause comes after 'out', not before it.

Can you work out how many tiles we need for the bathroom floor?

be worked out

The passive form is natural when the focus is on the result of the calculation rather than who did it.

The delivery charges have already been worked out and added to your order.

Common Collocations

work out the costwork out the totalwork out how muchwork out the answerwork out the percentagework it out

Common Mistakes

Using 'work out' without a numerical object

In this sense, 'work out' always needs a number, amount, or measurable result as its object. If your object is something abstract like a plan or a decision, you're using a different sense of 'work out'.

✗ We need to work out our strategy for the meeting.
✓ We need to work out the budget for the meeting.
Pronoun placed after 'out'

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must come between 'work' and 'out'. Placing it after 'out' is incorrect.

✗ The tip looked confusing, so I worked out it on my phone.
✓ The tip looked confusing, so I worked it out on my phone.
Separating with a long embedded clause

When your object is a clause starting with 'how much', 'how many', or 'what', keep 'work' and 'out' together and put the clause after 'out'. Do not try to split 'work' and 'out' around a long clause.

✗ Can you work how much the flight costs out?
✓ Can you work out how much the flight costs?

Usage

This sense is neutral and very common in everyday British and American English as a less formal alternative to 'calculate'. It frequently appears with embedded question clauses: 'work out how much / how many / what the total is'.

4 work out

happen or develop in a certain way (well or badly)

B1

Sense 4: What does "work out" mean?

Use 'work out' to describe how a situation, plan, or set of circumstances develops or reaches a final result. The subject is usually something abstract — a plan, a relationship, an arrangement — or a pronoun like 'it', 'things', or 'everything'. An adverb like 'well', 'badly', or 'fine' often follows to show the direction things went. It's especially useful for talking about past situations that ended in a certain way, or for reassuring someone about the future. The phrase 'it'll work out' is one of the most common ways English speakers encourage someone who is worried.

Examples

How to use it

it / things / everything + work out

The subject is almost always a pronoun like 'it', 'things', or 'everything', or an abstract noun referring to a plan or situation.

Everything worked out in the end, so there was nothing to worry about.

work out + well / badly / fine / perfectly

An adverb showing the result or direction of development usually follows — without it, the meaning can be unclear.

The new arrangement worked out perfectly for both of them.

work out + in the end / eventually / somehow

Time adverbials like 'in the end' or 'eventually' are often added to show that a positive result came after a delay.

It was a stressful few months, but the job situation worked out eventually.

not work out

The negative form is commonly used to describe plans or relationships that failed, often without blaming anyone directly.

Their business partnership didn't work out, so they decided to go their separate ways.

will / going to + work out

Future forms are very common in reassuring someone or expressing hope about an uncertain situation.

I know things feel difficult right now, but I'm sure it's going to work out fine.

Common Collocations

work out wellwork out finework out in the enddidn't work outeverything worked outwork out for the best

Common Mistakes

Confusing with the 'calculate' sense

In another sense, 'work out' means to calculate or solve something and takes a direct object ('work out the cost'). In this sense, there is no object — the subject is a situation, not a person doing a calculation.

✗ The plan worked out the best solution.
✓ The plan worked out well in the end.
Missing an adverb when one is needed

Saying 'it worked out' on its own can sound incomplete. Adding an adverb like 'well', 'fine', or 'badly' makes the meaning clear and sounds more natural.

✗ I was nervous about the presentation, but it worked out.
✓ I was nervous about the presentation, but it worked out fine.
Using a person as the subject in this sense

In this sense, the subject should be a situation, plan, or abstract thing — not a person actively doing something. A person as subject usually signals the exercise sense ('she works out every morning') or the calculating sense.

✗ She worked out well at the new company.
✓ Things worked out well for her at the new company.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. It is especially common in reassuring someone ('I'm sure it'll work out') or reflecting on how a situation ended ('it worked out well in the end').

5 work out

have a good or successful result

B1

Sense 5: What does "work out" mean?

If a plan, relationship, or situation works out, it ends up being successful. This phrasal verb is often used to talk about things that go well after a period of uncertainty — or to explain, often gently, that something failed. For example, people often say a relationship 'didn't work out' instead of saying it failed, which sounds softer and less negative. The subject is always a thing or a vague word like 'it' or 'everything', never a person. You'll often hear it with hopeful phrases like 'work out in the end' or 'work out for the best', which carry an encouraging, optimistic feeling.

Examples

How to use it

it / things / everything + work out

The most common structure — a vague subject like 'it', 'things', or 'everything' is used when speaking generally about a situation.

Don't worry — I'm sure everything will work out.

plan / relationship / arrangement + work out

A specific noun can be the subject when talking about a particular situation that succeeded or failed.

The new schedule didn't work out, so we had to make changes.

work out + in the end / for the best

These fixed phrases are added to give an optimistic or reassuring tone.

It was a difficult year, but it all worked out in the end.

hope / expect / think + (that) + subject + work out

Use this structure when expressing what you hope or believe will happen.

I hope the new business idea works out for them.

it + didn't / never / just didn't + work out

The negative form is extremely common as a polite, soft way to say something failed.

We tried to make it work, but it just didn't work out.

Common Collocations

relationshipplanthingseverythingitin the end

Common Mistakes

Using an object after 'work out'

In this sense, 'work out' is intransitive — it never takes an object. Don't add a noun directly after it.

✗ I hope they work out the relationship.
✓ I hope the relationship works out.
Confusing it with 'turn out'

'Turn out' describes the final result of something, often as a surprise ('it turned out to be a great idea'). 'Work out' focuses on whether a process or situation proved successful overall. They are close in meaning but not always interchangeable.

✗ The plan turned out after a lot of effort.
✓ The plan worked out after a lot of effort.
Using the present or past continuous

It sounds unnatural to use 'work out' in this sense with a continuous form. Use the simple tenses instead.

✗ I was hoping the plan was working out.
✓ I was hoping the plan would work out.

Usage

This is a neutral, everyday expression used in both British and American English. It is especially common in spoken English when talking about relationships or plans that succeeded or failed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'work out' always mean to plan something? I've heard it used in other ways.

No — 'work out' has several different meanings in English. It can also mean to exercise physically ('I work out every morning') or to describe something going well or ending in a certain way ('I hope it all works out for you'). The planning sense always has a specific object or a question word like 'how' or 'what' after it, which helps you identify this meaning.

What kinds of things can you 'work out'?

You typically 'work out' concrete things that require thought or calculation, such as details, plans, costs, schedules, budgets, deals, solutions, and routes. You can also 'work out' how to do something, what to do next, or when something will happen. The object is almost always something specific and practical.

Can I use 'work out' in formal writing, like a business email?

Yes, 'work out' is neutral in register and is perfectly appropriate in professional and business contexts. You might see it in emails, reports, and meetings ('the logistics still need to be worked out'). If you want a more formal alternative, you could use words like 'devise', 'formulate', or 'determine', but 'work out' is not considered informal or inappropriate.

Can I say 'work out' without an object, like 'Let's work out before the deadline'?

In the planning sense, no — you always need a specific object or a question word clause after it. Without one, the sentence belongs to a different sense of 'work out', such as exercising or something going successfully. Always include what you are planning: 'Let's work out the details before the deadline.'

Does 'work out' always mean exercise?

No — 'work out' has more than one meaning. It can also mean to solve or calculate something (e.g. 'work out the answer') or to develop in a particular way (e.g. 'things will work out fine'). The exercise sense is easy to spot because no object follows the phrasal verb, and it is often used with location or frequency phrases like 'at the gym' or 'every day'.

Is 'workout' one word or two? How is it different from 'work out'?

'Workout' (one word) is a noun — it refers to a single session of exercise. 'Work out' (two words) is the phrasal verb. You might say 'I had a great workout today' (noun) or 'I work out every morning' (verb). Both forms are very common and natural.

Can I use 'work out' to describe one specific moment of exercising, or is it only for habits?

You can use it for both. It is very common for habits ('She works out three times a week'), but you can also use it for a specific past action ('Did you work out yesterday?') or a plan ('I'm going to work out this evening'). All of these are natural.

What kinds of adverbs or phrases go well with 'work out'?

The most natural companions are frequency expressions like 'every day', 'regularly', or 'five times a week', location phrases like 'at the gym', 'at home', or 'in the park', and manner adverbs like 'hard'. You can also add a purpose clause like 'to stay fit' or 'to build muscle'.

Does 'work out' always mean calculate? It seems to have other meanings too.

You're right — 'work out' has several different meanings in English. This particular sense specifically means to calculate or find a numerical answer. Other meanings (like exercising or planning something) are handled separately on this platform. The key sign that you're in the calculate sense is that the object is always a number, amount, or measurable quantity.

Can I use 'work out' in the present continuous, like 'I am working out the total'?

It's not wrong, but it sounds unusual in this sense. In everyday English, people almost always use the simple tenses instead: 'I'm working out the cost' is possible but rare, whereas 'I worked out the cost' or 'I'll work out the cost' feel much more natural.

Is 'work out' different from 'figure out' when talking about calculations?

'Work out' and 'figure out' overlap a lot in this meaning and are often interchangeable. The main difference is that 'figure out' can sound slightly more informal and sometimes suggests more effort or puzzlement. 'Work out' feels a little more neutral and straightforwardly mathematical.

Can 'work out' be used in the passive?

No — in this sense, 'work out' is intransitive, meaning it has no object. Because there is no object, a passive form is not possible. You can only say 'it worked out well', not 'it was worked out well'.

Does 'work out' always mean something positive?

Not always. It describes how something develops, which can be positive or negative. 'It worked out well' is positive, but 'it didn't work out' or 'it worked out badly' describe a negative result. The phrase is actually quite neutral on its own.

What kinds of things can be the subject of 'work out' in this sense?

The subject is almost always an abstract noun or pronoun — things like a plan, a relationship, an arrangement, a situation, or simply 'it', 'things', or 'everything'. You wouldn't normally use a person as the subject in this sense.

What's the difference between 'work out' and 'turn out'?

'Turn out' focuses on the final result or what was discovered ('it turned out to be easier than expected'). 'Work out' puts more emphasis on a process coming to a resolution, and it very often collocates with 'well', 'fine', or 'in the end'. In many sentences they are interchangeable, but 'work out' is more common in reassuring contexts.

Can I use 'work out' in the present continuous — like 'it is working out well'?

It's grammatically possible, but it sounds a little unusual in this sense. Native speakers more often use the past simple ('it worked out well') or future ('it'll work out'). If you want to talk about an ongoing positive development, 'it seems to be going well' is often more natural.

Can 'work out' have other meanings? I've heard it used differently.

Yes, 'work out' has several other meanings in English — for example, doing physical exercise or calculating something. However, this entry focuses only on the meaning of 'prove successful', which is always intransitive and never takes an object.

Can a person be the subject of 'work out' in this sense?

No — in this sense, the subject is always a thing, a situation, or a vague word like 'it', 'things', or 'everything'. If a person is the subject in a similar structure, it usually signals a different sense of 'work out'.

Is 'everything will work out' natural to say to someone who is worried?

Yes, it's very natural and commonly used to reassure someone. Phrases like 'everything will work out' or 'it'll work out in the end' have a warm, optimistic tone and are frequently heard in everyday spoken English.

Is 'work out' used in both British and American English?

Yes, this sense of 'work out' is used in both varieties of English with no significant difference in meaning. It's a neutral, everyday expression suitable for both spoken and written contexts.

Related Phrasal Verbs

map sth out
figure sth out
play out

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